ChainBridge Distillery sits in Oakland Park, Florida, bringing craft whiskey production to South Florida’s cocktail scene. Founded by Andrew McIntyre and his team, the distillery opened its doors with a focus on small-batch bourbon and rye whiskey production. The operation runs out of an industrial space that’s been transformed into a working distillery complete with copper stills and barrel aging areas. You’ll find them producing American whiskeys using traditional methods adapted for Florida’s unique climate.
McIntyre and his crew didn’t take the easy path here. Starting a whiskey distillery in Florida means dealing with accelerated aging from the heat and humidity, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on how you handle it. They’ve embraced the challenge, using the climate to their advantage in developing flavor profiles that mature faster than their northern counterparts. The team focuses on hands-on production, keeping batches small and quality control tight.
The visitor experience centers around seeing the production process up close and tasting spirits that showcase what Florida whiskey can be. The space feels more like a working distillery than a polished tourist destination, which means you get an authentic look at how they’re making whiskey. Tours walk you through their grain-to-glass process, and tastings let you sample spirits that reflect the unique character of aging whiskey in South Florida’s climate.